India’s decision to skip One Belt One Road (OBOR) or Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Summit in Beijing between May 14-16 is a strategic call with the mega connectivity initiative in its current form in various parts of South Asia having no less implications than China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). OBOR in its current form encompasses all of South Asia sans India and Bhutan and enhances China’s strategic heft in the same countries where India also has huge stakes including connectivity initiatives and infrastructure projects launched during past three years. Beijing did not take Delhi in confidence when it unilaterally decided to introduce and implement projects in many of the South Asian countries. Such projects in their current form not only have the potential to push the countries into financial crisis having direct bearing on India but also have strategic implications for Delhi during times of conflict. India is of firm belief that connectivity initiatives must be based on universally recognized international norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency and equality.

(Economic Times)